DRIFTWOOD — Surrounded by his family, Hays County Pct. 3 Commissioner Will Conley felt on top of the world at the Hays County Republicans’ primary watch party at Hays City Store on Tuesday.

Conley won 4,460 votes, about 82 percent, of votes cast by San Marcos- and Wimberley-area Republicans in his primary race against San Marcos resident Rob Roark, who received about 18 percent.

Without a Democratic Party opponent in the November general election, Conley is a shoe-in for a fourth term on the Hays County Commissioners Court.

Large Hays County voter turnout made for a late night. Bedtime for Conley’s three young children came around before final results were announced at about 10:30 p.m. The margin of his victory was apparent early in the evening, however, when he officials announced that he had received about 82 percent of early and absentee votes.

“If these numbers maintain themselves, it will be an honor to represent this community,” Conley said after the first round of results were announced.

San Marcos City Council member Jude Prather said he expected Conley to win, but not by the margins that he did.

“It’s a huge deal. This is incredible,” Prather said.

Prather said the way Conley was able to help the community after the Memorial Day floods played a large role in the turnout.

“Will is the real deal,” Prather said. “He’s the best political leader we have. He’s respected throughout the [Interstate 35] corridor.”

Conley said the flood relief was a community effort, and that he will continue the work he began.

“First and foremost, our focus — especially for precinct 3 — is on flood recovery. We are just entering into the long-term recovery phase. It will be on the forefront on our minds for the next couple of years,” Conley said.

Upon winning, Conley said he felt humbled to be able to serve the citizens of Hays County.

“I can’t wait to take down all those ugly election signs in the morning and get back to work tomorrow,” he said.

Hays County Pct. 3 Commissioner |
2016 Republican Primary

Will Conley

4,460 (82.35%)

Rob Roark

956 (17.65%)

Final, unofficial results. 13 of 13 precincts reported.

Map | Hays County Pct. 3 Commissioner

CARLIE PORTERFIELD is lifestyles editor for The University Star, the student newspaper of Texas State University, where this story was originally published. It is made available here through a news partnership between the University Star and the San Marcos Mercury.